Paul Rudd Biography
Join us for the complete run down on Paul Rudd. Rudd is an American actor who's been rocking our screens for over two decades! He's been amazing at playing many different characters – serious or funny, you name it.
From his breakout in Clueless to being the superhero Ant-Man in the Marvel movies, Paul Rudd is the guy who brings the fun to our screens. With his charm and humor, he's not just an actor; he's our go-to entertainer, leaving a mark from the '90s to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Get ready to laugh and be amazed by the one and only Paul Rudd!
Paul Rudd’s Life Prior To Fame
Born on April 6, 1969, in Passaic, New Jersey, Paul Rudd had a lively Jewish upbringing with his little sister Mandi and parents Michael and Gloria Rudd. Growing up in the jet-setting lifestyle of a TWA family, they eventually settled in Overland Park, Kansas.
After Paul graduated from high school in 1987, he went on to attend the University of Kansas. Paul embraced his passion by majoring in none other than theater.
Post-graduation, he hit the Hollywood scene, fine-tuning his skills at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Paul didn't stop there – he also went to England for a workshop at the British American Drama Academy.
Paul Rudd’s Full Acting Career
1990s
Paul Rudd's career kicked into high gear right at the get go in 1992, when he snagged the role of Kirby Quimby Philby on the television series Sisters. Two years later, he made an appearance in six episodes of the television series Wild Oats, before taking a leap from Sisters.
Insert 1995, where most of us first saw Paul Rudd for the first time. That’s right, his first big time, big screen hit, Clueless. This movie got him noticed, but Rudd wasn’t so much into the comedy scene.
He decided to make a move from Los Angeles to New York, and step onto the Broadway scene for a bit. His very first time out he performed in “The Last Night of Ballyhoo.” Choosing to then call New York home, he was able to juggle both theater roles and some movie roles as well.
From smaller roles in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) and Romeo + Juliet (1996) alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Next up was his portrayal as Jennifer Aniston's gay best friend in The Object of My Affection (1998). He finished off the 1990s with, The Cider House Rules (1999).
2000s
Entering the early 2000s, Paul Rudd's explored sci-fi terrain in Gen-Y Cops (2000), and an indie film, The Chateau (2001).
Rudd stuck with the world of short films for a few years, starring in Reaching Normal alongside Andie MacDowell. This first premiered at Sundance and later went straight to Showtime.
2001 also saw Rudd take on the role of Nick Carraway in A&E's adaptation of The Great Gatsby, a classic by F. Scott Fitzgerald, where he starred alongside Mira Sorvino.
Shortly after came Wet Hot American Summer (2001). Despite initial controversies, this evolved into sort of a cult classic, you might say. At any rate, it paved the way for its 2015 prequel, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp.
The sitcom Friends welcomed Rudd in its final two seasons (2002–2004), where he became the recurring character, Mike Hannigan, and stole hearts as Phoebe Buffay's love interest.
Here is where Rudd’s career took a major turn:
Enter the dynamic duo: Rudd and the visionary director-producer, Judd Apatow. Brace yourselves because this collaboration was nothing short of spectacular! Alongside comedic heavyweights Will Ferrell and Steve Carell, Rudd took a spot in the uproarious hit Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004).
But the fun didn't stop there! Rudd continued to ride the laughter wave, teaming up with Apatow in a string of comedic classics. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) again with Steve Carell, the side splitting Knocked Up (2007), the relatable This Is 40 (2012), and then Wanderlust (2012), where Rudd even flexed his co-producing muscles.
Moving into the 2010s
Get ready for a whirlwind of Rudd movies: First up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) and the absolutely hilarious, Role Models (2008), where he even co-wrote the screenplay. The bromantic joyride in I Love You, Man (2009). And yes, he joined forces with Carell again in Dinner for Schmucks (2010). Now wait, there's more! Our Idiot Brother (2011), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), and Prince Avalanche (2013).
And, of course, who can forget the legend continuing in the Anchorman saga with Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)? Not done yet! Rudd then teamed up with Amy Poehler in the romantic comedy They Came Together (2014).
Rudd then entered the world of superhero fandom in 2015, starring in the Marvel Comics film Ant-Man. He reprised his superhero role in the 2018 sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp, as well as in the 2016 and 2019 Marvel films Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
The Fundamentals of Caring (2016), and Ideal Home (2018) were among Rudd's other notable films during that time frame.
More recently, Rudd entered the Only Murders in the Building scene. His first episode was during the Season 2 finale, embodying the shallow Broadway star Ben Glenroy. In a surprising twist, his character meets an onstage demise—spoiler alert—only to miraculously return to life in the Season 3 premiere.
Paul Rudd’s Business
In 2014, Samuel's Sweet Shop was threatened with closure until Paul Rudd and Jeffrey Dean Morgan banded together to save it. The previous owner, who was a dear friend of Paul's, had passed away shortly before they purchased the store.
Paul Rudd’s Personal Life
Marriage: In 2003, Rudd married Julie Yaeger, who is a former publicist. The couple has two children together: a son named Jack and a daughter named Darby.
Low-Key Lifestyle: Known for keeping his personal life away from the public eye, Rudd prefers a low-key lifestyle and doesn't often share details about his family or personal affairs in the media.
Residence: The family splits their time between New York and a rural area in upstate New York, contributing to Rudd's desire for a more laid-back and private lifestyle.
Paul Rudd’s Massive Net Worth
Paul Rudd’s successful acting career has brought him a substantial net worth of $70 million.
Like many actors, Paul Rudd's earnings fluctuate based on the projects he takes on each year. In 2019, he secured the 9th spot on Forbes' highest-paid actors list, raking in $41 million. It should be noted that this substantial income was majorly influenced by his role in Avengers: Endgame, where he negotiated an upfront salary combined with a backend cut. Considering the film's staggering $2.8 billion box office success, it was a significant jump from his Apatow era. Yes, a Marvel role can certainly beef up your bank account in no time.
Paul Rudd Supports SAY.SAY’s
Paul Rudd is a strong supporter of SAY. SAY's mission is to assist young stutterers in finding a sense of community and acceptance for their stutter.
Controversy Involving Paul Rudd
Unfortunately, Paul Rudd has been involved in controversial behavior quite a few times.
For example, Paul Rudd has voiced that he believes certain roles are beneath his level of stardom.
Also, Rudd doesn’t look up to anyone in Hollywood. He thinks all actors, including himself, are just starved for attention.
And finally, Paul Rudd didn’t like being on Friends. (Gasp!) He thought it was boring and it reminded him of his life in Kansas-which he says was absolutely awful.
